WASHINGTON -- The Anti-Defamation slammed the White House on Wednesday for its proposal to ban refugees from the world's most troubled spots and suspend visa issuances from seven Muslim nations.

In an angry statement, the organization, whose mission is to fight against defamation of Jews and for the civil and human rights of all, called the Trump administration's policy action "a sad moment in American history."

"This will effectively shut America’s doors to the most vulnerable people in the world who seek refuge from unspeakable pain and suffering," the ADL said. "For the Sunni family whose son languishes in prison in Iran because of his faith, for the former Army translator in Iraq who has been threatened because of his service, LGBT youth in Yemen terrorized by Islamists because of his lifestyle, for the widows and orphans caught between the barrel bombs of Assad’s regime and the unparalleled brutality of ISIS, this executive order could very well be a death sentence."

President Donald Trump plans to sign an order on Thursday that will require the State Department and Department of Homeland Security to immediately cease all refugee processing from Syria, where over 500,000 people have been killed in a brutal civil war. The measure will also ban visa issuances for all nationals of Syria, Iraq, Iran, Somalia, Sudan, Libya and Yemen.

"More than most, our community knows what happens when the doors to freedom are shut," the organization said. "That is why ADL relentlessly will fight this policy in the weeks and months to come. Our history and heritage compel us to take a stand."

ADL further criticized the Trump administration for threatening to cut funding from so-called "sanctuary cities"– cities and townships that refuse to direct their law enforcement to do the work of federal immigration authorities.

"When immigrants and their families and communities fear police, they become vulnerable to hate crimes," the ADL said. "This executive order would create an underclass of people who do not have open access to police protection if they become victims."

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